Seoul International Dance Festival to Start Next Month
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance) will launch its 12th edition with 33 innovative dance works from around the world starting next month.
Dance companies from 15 countries will present some of their best works at cultural venues such as Seoul Arts Center and Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex from Oct. 5 to 24.
``There have been many dance festivals since our first in 1998, but we still aim for the same objectives," Lee Jong-ho, the artistic director of SIDance, said during a press conference last week in central Seoul. "First, we chose works that the audience can sympathize with and connect to, and second, we try to stage performances that are not too abstract or difficult. The bottom line is that we want people to enjoy the event.''
This year boasts one of the best lineups ever, divided into four main categories: Dance Meets Music, Dance Meets Movies, Dance Meets Media Art and Dance Meets Literature. The following are some of the representative works from each category.
Dance Meets Music
The Slovenia SNG Maribor Ballet will bring ``Radio & Juliet'' to fans this year, a creative work exclusively featuring music by English rock band Radiohead throughout the performance. It begins with Juliet waking up only to find Romeo pale and ill next to a grave. The story revolves around love, but has an edge. It adds a fresh touch of intensity by expressing the emotions of the industrialized world we live in today, complete with the distinctive tunes of Thom Yorke. ``Radio & Juliet'' will be staged at Seoul Arts Center, Oct. 15.
Dance Meets Movies
Compagnia Artemis Danza from Italy will offer ``I Bislacchi- Omaggio a Fellini'' to movie fans. Inspired by famed film director Federico Fellini's works, including ``Road,'' ``La Dolce Vita'' and ``Casanova,'' the performance is full of humor and nostalgia. The animation work that will be screened as the backdrop may also cause a stir as it depicts sexual yet witty content. ``I Bislacchi- Omaggio a Fellini'' will be on stage at Seoul Arts Center, Oct. 19.
Dance Meets Media Art
Post Ego Dance Company from Korea and COLLECTIVE mayhem from Singapore will bring ``Yellow Monkey'' to the stage. This fast-paced multimedia dance collaboration offers a look into the dark and brutal aspect of human nature and the anger possessed inside. See ``Yellow Monkey'' at Seoul Arts Center, Oct. 15-16.
Dance Meets Literature
RootlessRoot from Greece will present ``Sudden Showers of Silence,'' a unique piece that depicts the historic tale of Homer's epic ``Iliad.'' The two characters represent contemporary man and woman, and they express love and death through theatrical movements. Instead of featuring graceful and delicate moves and atmosphere, ``Showers'' creates an epic context and portrays love and death as a battle. The work will be staged at Seoul Arts Center, Oct. 17.
Opening and Closing Performances
The opening performance of SIDance will be Barak Marshall's ``Monger.'' Marshall, who was born in the United States and majored in social theory and philosophy at Harvard University, is one of the most famous and talented choreographers in Israel with a unique background and local fans will get to see his unique work about house servants. ``Monger'' was inspired by Jean Genet's play ``The Maids'' and Robert Alman's film ``Gosford Park.''
The energetic ``Romeo and Juliet'' by Italy's Compagnia Aterballetto will wrap up the event on Oct. 24. Ten pairs of Romeos and Juliets will dazzle fans with their simple costumes and swift movements. A short video clip showed the dancers moving quickly to the music wearing shoulder and knee pads, while another revealed ventilation fans spinning as a backdrop.
Along with its various stage performances, SIDance will also offer one of its specialties, "Dancing City," around Seoul, by dancers from Korea and Belgium. These free performances will be held in the streets of Itaewon, northern Seoul, in front of Namsan N Tower, the Namsangol Hanok Village and also Juyeop Children's Library.
``This particular event is one of our favorites. We have been trying to bring dance closer to the public, and we have seen great success through this program. Release your stress by dancing with us,'' Lee said.
Tickets for the indoor shows cost from 20,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, visit www.sidance.org or call (02) 3216-1185.